Sho-Dan Restaurant
If you're a traditional sushi lover, you're better off eating at places like Kaizen, Sakura and Katsura restaurants. But if you like to be adventurous and try something different, Sho-Dan will definitely turn the uninitiated into sushi aficionados.
There are two locations, the oldest is on Metcalfe, corner of Maisonneuve; the other is on Rene-Levesque, corner Bishop. I've been to the one on Metcalfe and prefer to plant myself at the sushi bar. The restaurant is a 2 leveled behemoth, with windows so large they're higher than the door frames. Tables are covered in chic white tablecloths and white rolled up napkins neatly fitted into the glasses. The seats are in a faux dark brown leather, the bar stools are pleather red. In essence, the restaurant looks nothing like a traditional Japanese restaurant aside from the sushi bar.
It's hard to really compare this place with any other restaurant I've been to, mainly because the ingredients they use are fabricated in such a unique way, you couldn't find any better looking sushi than here. Sushi is wrapped in light green soybean sheets, placing fruits like mango, strawberries, blueberries in several combinations. The crowd favorites are the Phoenix and Besame Mucho, but to explain what they are would be spoiling the fun. I also like their Grill Tuna, a lightly flambéed raw tuna with spices and sweet sauce to go with.
When sushi chefs aren't too busy rolling, they're busy creating masterpiece decorations that would amaze anybody sitting in front of them. Couple that with their large selection of wines, sake, and cocktails, jazz lounge music and you're set for a fun time.Visit their website for more info and photos.
Bottom Line
Food: Inventive, fun, and tasty. Would especially please tempura lovers.
Service: Decent. Service can be long if it's really crowded, I suggest going early in the evening, and to make reservations on the weekends.
Price: Unless making $50,000 on a regular basis, I'd only go here for special occasions. It's really pricy, which can easily go from $30-50 if it includes alcoholic drinks. The Lunch menu is slightly cheaper but not by much.
Crowd: A good mix of all backgrounds, including kids, wealthy patrons, and occasional celebrity (take a good look at the wall full of polaroids).
Location: 2020 Metcalfe
Accessible metro: Peel (exit Maisonneuve)
Location: 1425 René-Levesque
Accessible metros: Lucien L'allier, Guy-Concordia
